Dispersed camping options near Campton, New Hampshire extend beyond the popular Tripoli Road area, with several free camping alternatives throughout the White Mountain National Forest. These sites range in elevation from approximately 800 to 1,400 feet, with terrain varying from riverside flats to wooded slopes. Summer temperatures typically reach 70-85°F during the day and drop to 45-60°F at night, while spring and fall camping often requires preparation for overnight temperatures near freezing.
What to do
Explore swimming spots: At Town Hall Road Dispersed, campers can enjoy river access directly from their sites. "We drove down the road a bit, past a few tent sites just off the road... Down toward the river there was plenty of open space so we pitched there and built a fire pit. There are trout in the river and if you cross and go through the woods to the right there's some great spots to explore further!"
Hike nearby trails: The White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road area offers access to several hiking options. "Highwater trail with bridge close by. Great stars. Creek runs through road near sites good for getting water to filter or washing. Trailhead at end of road," notes one camper about this secluded spot.
Wildlife observation: Free camping sites around Campton provide opportunities to spot local wildlife. At Cherry Mountain Road, the natural setting creates a uniquely quiet experience where, as one camper noted, "It was so quiet I could hear the sound of crow wings flapping as they flew by."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Campers consistently highlight the spacing and privacy at Town Hall Road Dispersed sites. "The sites are well spread out so it felt pretty private. We stayed two nights at two different sites and enjoyed both," reports one visitor. Another adds that "sites were on a dirt road, but it was quiet for the most part. Sites were also a good distance from each other."
River proximity: Many dispersed sites feature water access. According to a camper at Tripoli Road, "Fantastic secluded options, highly recommend getting a good spot by the river. Park staff are great and spots are well maintained."
Star viewing: The minimal light pollution at many dispersed camping areas creates excellent night sky viewing opportunities. One camper at Cherry Mountain Road shared, "We enjoyed a spectacular view of the Blood Super Moon from the campsite. Overall the site was open to the sky near the road yet protected from the wind."
What you should know
Vehicle requirements: Some dispersed camping areas have challenging access roads. At Elbow Pond Road Dispersed Site, "The road in is pretty rough and is not recommended for sedans or lower riding cars," according to one reviewer. Another camper cautions about "a car ahead that was backing up. They were afraid to drive across a dry wash in their new Jeep."
Site selection timing: Arriving midweek significantly improves your chances of finding an ideal site. "Great spot for the weekdays, hardly anyone around and got a great site right by the river (mid-Sept.). We left on a Friday morning and a lot more people were coming in," notes a Tripoli Road camper.
Connectivity limits: Cell service varies dramatically by location. At White Mountains Camping on Little Larry Road, "Just enough t-mobile/starlink signal to watch streaming and message, but wouldn't be enough for remote work," while at Hogan Road Pulloff, connection is minimal or non-existent.
Tips for camping with families
River-accessible sites: For families with children, the shallow water access at many Town Hall Road sites provides natural entertainment. "It was a great place for Rainy Camping. We went during a pouring rain storm and our site remained relatively dry. We even enjoyed a small fire the next day," shares one visitor with useful information for families concerned about weather.
Multi-site options: Cherry Mountain Road Dispersed offers sites with varying levels of privacy and space. "We stayed on site #5 because it was flat, sunny, grassy and had a little brook. Had some passing by traffic but each site is far apart from each other," notes a camper, highlighting features that make for comfortable family camping.
Fire options: Families should note that fire policies vary significantly between sites. While many dispersed areas permit fires in established rings, some locations like Cherry Mountain Road and Hogan Road Pulloff prohibit fires completely.
Tips from RVers
Smaller RVs only: Most free camping areas near Campton can only accommodate smaller recreational vehicles. At Haystack Road, one camper notes they are "allowed to stay for two weeks. They do get crowded during the season, so you'll have better luck showing up mid-week."
Site selection for leveling: Finding level spots is critical for RV comfort. A Town Hall Road visitor with a camper shared, "The road was not as bad as I anticipated. There was room for my Jeep Grand Cherokee towing a squaredrop camper to pass the very few oncoming vehicles we encountered. There is a good mix of tent and small/medium camper sites."
Solar considerations: Many dispersed sites are heavily wooded, limiting solar charging options. One RVer at Town Hall Road observed, "Heavily wooded area, so it's not so great for solar panels and probably not starlink either."
